NAUSICAA I

Developed by Groupe de Recherche de Biologie Spatiale (GRBS) Toulouse / SA CNRS

Balloon launched on 8/5/1979, from Base di Lancio Luigi Broglio, Trapani, Sicily, Italy

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The NAUSICAA gondola consisted of a series of experiments in the domain of biology and technology, as follows:

- Paramecios. Biological research groups. Effects of cosmic radiation on paramecia cultures.
- Granos. Biological research groups. Somatic and genetic effects of cosmic radiation on sand grains and tobacco plants.
- Drosophila. Biological research groups. Genetic effects of cosmic radiation on drosophila melanogaster
- Artemia. Biological research groups. Biological effects of cosmic radiation on the egg of Artemia Salina (brine shrimp).
- Ozono. Experiment by CNRS Service of Aeronomy to measure the Ozone in the high atmosphere.
- Techno. Technological test in flight by CNES of an automatic pilot system and PCM telemetry system

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 8/5/1979 at 4:34 utc
Launch site: Base di Lancio Luigi Broglio, Trapani, Sicily, Italy  
Balloon launched by: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) / Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon 330.000 m3
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 8/5/1979
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 1 h 30 m
Landing site: Balloon failure. Recovered near Rocca Palumba, Sicily, Italy
Campaign: ODISSEA 79  
Payload weight: 840 kg
 Overall weight: 890 kg

Due to the balloon failure the experiment was to be relaunched -this time succesfuly on August 28-

External references

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